ALTERNATIVE Synonyms: 100 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'alternative' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice , election , option , preference , and selection . While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility. // equally attractive alternatives

Q: When can 'choice' be used instead of 'alternative'?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely. // freedom of choice

Q: In what contexts can 'election' take the place of 'alternative'?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment. // doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

Q: When is 'option' a more appropriate choice than 'alternative'?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed. // the option of paying now or later

Q: When would 'preference' be a good substitute for 'alternative'?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative , preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections. // a preference for cool weather

Q: Where would 'selection' be a reasonable alternative to 'alternative'?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice. // a varied selection of furniture

alternative 1 of 2

noun

Definition of alternative

as in option

the power, right, or opportunity to choose there's no alternative: we must cross the stream to reach our destination

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

alternative

2 of 2

adjective

as in alternate

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in nontraditional

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun alternative contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of alternative are choice, election, option, preference, and selection. While all these words mean "the act or opportunity of choosing or the thing chosen," alternative implies a need to choose one and reject another possibility.

equally attractive alternatives

When can choice be used instead of alternative?

The words choice and alternative are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, choice suggests the opportunity or privilege of choosing freely.

freedom of choice

In what contexts can election take the place of alternative?

The synonyms election and alternative are sometimes interchangeable, but election implies an end or purpose which requires exercise of judgment.

doing a tax return forces certain elections on you

When is option a more appropriate choice than alternative?

The meanings of option and alternative largely overlap; however, option implies a power to choose that is specifically granted or guaranteed.

the option of paying now or later

When would preference be a good substitute for alternative?

While in some cases nearly identical to alternative, preference suggests a choice guided by one's judgment or predilections.

a preference for cool weather

Where would selection be a reasonable alternative to alternative?

The words selection and alternative can be used in similar contexts, but selection implies a range of choice.

a varied selection of furniture

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of alternative

Noun

For chocolates sweetened with sugar alternatives look at Hu Kitchen, which uses coconut sugar, and Conscious Bar, which uses dates. — Helen Carefoot, Flow Space, 26 Oct. 2026 While often marketed as a safer alternative to conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes pose significant health risks. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

Adjective

In an interview in April, Jared Mast, president of Mast Wealth Management Group, which deals in alternative investments including collectibles like Pokémon cards, told ABC News the value of Pokémon cards has risen sharply in the past year. — ABC News, 20 Oct. 2026 The developer also proposed an alternative design for the Pacific Street entrance with separate left- and right-turn lanes. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alternative

Recent Examples of Synonyms for alternative

Noun

The Royals could also decline All-Star closer Carlos Estévez’s club option.

— Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2026
Ukraine believes security guarantees backed by Western allies are essential to any future settlement, ideally in the form of NATO membership — an option Vladimir Putin has rejected.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of option

Adjective

The central committee started its term in 2022 with more than 370 full and alternate members.

— KANIS LEUNG, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
That’s the fewest the Trojans have given up in a game since holding Michigan to 32 in their Big Ten debut, and in an alternate timeline, it might’ve been seen as a big moment for USC’s secondary.

— Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of alternate

Adjective

According to the Navy, this approach can help nontraditional defense companies move technologies from research and development toward procurement.

— Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
President Obama was accused of limiting access to independent photojournalists, and famously favored nontraditional media outlets at the advent of the social media age.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of nontraditional

Noun

And per-action authorization proves an instruction was permitted, not that the decision behind it was sound; an agent manipulated into a bad choice within its authority still needs monitoring and human oversight.

— Julian Durand, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
For now, however, Bangladesh’s garment workers—and billions across the Global South—have little choice but to endure given scant signs of relief in oil markets.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 Oct. 2026

Definition of choice

Adjective

His father, Scott, was a marketing research professor at the school and home football Saturdays in Provo weren’t optional.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
But multiple tripod mounts facilitate the use of optional accessories, like an extended grip and the aforementioned viewfinder.

— Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of optional

Adjective

Fashion brands have been experimenting with livelier and more unconventional footwear designs in general lately, and that means interesting uses of color.

— Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2026
While Aardvark hinted at Sakurai’s appetite for the unconventional, The Eric Andre Show pushed that instinct further, cementing an approach that continues to inform his work.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

For ThredUp, those overlapping behaviors present an opportunity to attract customers as households weigh competing demands on discretionary spending.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2026
Every single day, each person chooses how much of their energy, creativity, and discretionary effort to bring to work.

— Deborah Lovich, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of discretionary

Adjective

The Finnish Government has granted Posiva Oy an operating license for the world’s first permanent underground repository for spent nuclear fuel.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 23 Oct. 2026
Part of what a racist superstructure creates is the need for some kind of underground economy.

— Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of underground

Browse Nearby Words

alternating

alternative

alternatively

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Alternative.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/alternative. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of alternative

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

The History of 'Alt-'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of alternative

noun

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Articles Related to alternative

The History of 'Alt-'

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on alternative

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

grotesque

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes